G&TV: Comic-Con@Home (2020) Quickies Posted by Jonathan Capps on 29th July 2020, 11:49 You can say what you like about the deadly global pandemic currently ruling our lives, but at least the little red spikey boi has opened up access to many public events that have been forced to move to a streaming model this year. The result is I’ve seen two San Diego Comic-Con panels live where I would’ve previously seen none. Firstly, the lovely Bill and Ted Face the Music panel on Saturday and then on Sunday Red Dwarf had what we believe is its first ever SDCC panel to promote the launch of The Promised Land on BritBox and in attendance were Doug Naylor, Craig Charles, Chris Barrie and Robert Llewellyn. I think you all know the drill for promotional interviews with the cast and crew by now, and this really is no exception. The moderator (the Nerdist’s Kyle Anderson) puts in what I would describe as a workmanlike performance, employing basically the same interview style as Dimension Jump audience members. The cast, as always, do everything they possibly can to be entertaining so what we end up is a pleasant chat regardless, with Craig especially being on good form and lavishing praise on his cast-mates at every opportunity as they all reminisce about the show’s history and what it’s meant to them over the years. At the end Doug once again re-iterates that they will never do a final show and just let the show ends when it ends, to which Craig, Chris and Robert enthusiastically agree. Whether we’re already at that point is up for debate right now, but it’s clear that the cast still love Red Dwarf and want it to continue and until we know for sure it’s great to see it get this sort of exposure at a time when the show has produced its best work in years.
The moderator (the Nerdist’s Kyle Anderson) puts in what I would describe as a workmanlike performance, employing basically the same interview style as Dimension Jump audience members. The cast, as always, do everything they possibly can to be entertaining so what we end up is a pleasant chat regardless, with Craig especially being on good form I was amused by the moderator’s singular inability to recognise any of the various jokes and references to the show made by the other participants. I get that in a job like that you’re not always going to be interviewing someone about something you personally love, but come on. Craig’s repetition of the Killer Bikini Vampire Girls bit was particularly painful.
It’s interesting that, when with VIII, Doug wrote a very specific ending to the show, and now he’s very much opposed to the idea.
Well the original ending for series 8 was for Red Dwarf to get back to earth crashing into the ocean or something, creating a tidal wave that takes out a lot of the earth peaceful population. but they couldn’t afford to do it. But then Doug wanted to get away from the tv show at that time to start making movies.
Yeah, I was referring to Earth. I understand the different circumstances (and am obviously very happy it never happened that way!), I just find it interesting how he’s now so against the idea.
The interviewer really looked like he would rather interview stars from the next marvel/dc film than Red Dwarf.
Yeah, I was referring to Earth. I understand the different circumstances (and am obviously very happy it never happened that way!), I just find it interesting how he’s now so against the idea. I think he was open to ending it in the late 90s because he thought he could make bank off a Red Dwarf movie (franchise?). But now he won’t end it if there’s ever chance he can make more of the show. Why write an ending when next year you could make another special or series?
